Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



June 12, 1928. 1,673,507

s. B. HAsELTlNE FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Original Filed NOV. 9, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 12, 1928.

S. B. HASELTINE FRICTION sHocK ABsoHB'IiNG MEGHANISM 2 sheets-sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 9, 1923 ,L1 [2l z 7J l lllllllll I I l,...l\l\

Patented June 12, 1928. i

UNITED STATES PATEN sTAoY B. HASELTINE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, nssreivon, BY MnsNn ASSIGNMENTS, To w. H. Minna, INC., A coRroRATIoN OFDELAWARE.

FRiCTIoN sHooK-aBsonBING Meenemen.

Application filed November 9i 1.923, Serial Nn. 6735661. Renewed Aprily 23, 1928.-

This invention relates to improvementsin friction shock absorbing mechanisms.

The object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing mechanism espccially adapted for railway draft riggings and wherein is obtained high combined, friction and. spring capacity, and large wearing areas together with certain release.

More specifically, the object of this invenf tion is to provide a mechanism ,ofv the character indicated including a movable fricticn shell having a friction wedgesystem coactingtherewith, wherein the moveinentof the latter is resisted byfa spring withinl the shell and the movement of` the shell together with the friction wedge system isi in turn opposed by a main spring resistance. i

in the drawings forming apart of this specification, Figure l is a. horizontal, longitudinal, sectional view of a railway ydraft rigging showing my improvementssin connection therewith. FigureQ is a frontend elevational view Vof theV shoclr absorbing mechanism proper. Figures and 4: are ver- 3 tical, transverse,sectional: views, corresponding respectively to the lines3-3 and lf-4 of. Figure l. rind; Figure 5 is ai horizontal, sectional view of the frontend of theshock absorbing mechanism taken at one side of :5U the axis of the same, illust-rating aI different embodiment of. the invention.

leferrine. first to the constructionv illus? trated in Figures l to l inclusive, lO---lO denote channel shaped center or draft sills of a railway car., to the inner faces ofwhich gare secured front stop lugs ll-ll and rear stop lugs 12-12. A portion ofthe drawbar is indicated at 13, the same being operatively connected. to ahooded yoke 14 of wellflnown form, within which is disposed the shock absorbing' mechanism proper hereinafter dejscribedand a front follower l5. Theparts aresupported in operative position by a detachable saddle plate 11G. vThe shock absorbing mechanism, proper.. as shown, comprises broadly, a rear follower A; a post B,formedintegralwith the rear follower; a wedgeblpclr C; a,combined'fric-` tion shell and spring, cage D; a puir. of wedge pressure transmitting members E-ll apair of friction shoes Ff-Fya. spring` follower G; four main spring;resistance eiements lil-H; an auxiliary springk resistance element J; and a retainer bolt K.

The rear follower A` is in the forni of a latter.

rectangular plate having upper and lower forwardly` proj ectinglfianges 16.-16 and four short lugs L17- 17, arranged in pairs at the opposite sidesof the. center thereofeach of the lugsl? being adapted'to extend into the rear end.y of one ofV the springs H to main` tain the same in proper position. The rear vfollowerfh is adapted tocoact with thestop lugs. l2 in a well-known manner.

The post BV is formed, integral with the rear followerY and project-s forwandlythere from, beingfdisposcd centrally of' the fol;- lower and axially ofthe mechanism., The post Bispreferably in the forni of a cylindrical column having` a transverse flat front end against, which the rear/endA ofthe wedge block C is adapted to abut.

The` wedge `block Gf is in. the.- forin cfa Ysolid casting having a flat rear face `18, and .aipalr of forwardly converging side faces y The rear face 18 `which.engages the frontend of, the post B, is of greater .width`v thanl the' latteraandv.y extends` beyond the opposite sidesof the same, the projectingsides of theblockbeino adapted tofengage the'y front facey ofl the spring follower G, to limit the outward movement of;V the er,` spaced, parallel walls lwfl and s )aced Side walls The side walls. 2* are relatively heavyat the. front end ofthe shell as clearlyshownl in Figure. l. At the front end, the shellis provided with a .pair of interior, oppositely disposed, rearwardly diverging-wedge faces 23T-23. Rearwardly of the face 23, each side wally` isprovidedz'wit-h zu flat-friction surfaceQAt extending parallelto the' axis oftlielmechanism; The top= and oFFICE. j y

The `block C is` rigidly secured to bottoni walls 2l are extended rearwardly be! yond' the ends ofA thelsidewallsiQQ; andare cutaway; at opposite sides. thereby providing upper andlowerarmsa y'lherear ends of the arms 25: are.- connected' by a yverticallv disposed web 26 serving as an abutment for the rear end of the auxiliary spring J. The web 26 is provided with an opening 27 through which the post B eXtends,the open-V 'ing'27 being of suoli a. size as to loosely receive the post so that the shell may move freely on the post. v i ,f

The wedge pressure transn'iitting members E-E, which are of like construction and preferably in the form of solid blocks, are disposed on opposite sides of the block C. Each of the wedge blocks E is provided on the inner side thereof with a flat face 28 correspondingly inclined to and adapted to coact with the a'djacent'face 19 of the. block C. On the outer side. each wedge block E is provided with a l'ront wedge face 2U and a rear wedge face 30. the face 2S) being correspondingly inclined to and adapted to coact with the face 23 of the adjacent side wall of the shell. The rear wedge faces 'of the blocks E converge rearwardly of the mechanism and are adapted to coact with the shoes F. Each of the blocks E is extended forwardly beyond the wedge face 29 as indicated at 31 and is provided with upper and lower, late `ally projecting flanges 32-32 over-hanging the major portion of the face 2S). The project-ing end 3l and the flanges 32 of each block E provide a fiat bearing surface which abuts the flat inner surface of the front follower 15. The blocks E are adapted to slide laterally on the front follower andthe heavy portions of the opposite side walls of the shell are recessed at the top and bottom as indicated at 33 to accommodate the respective flanges 32, the openings 33 andthe main opening at the front end of the shell being of Sufficient size to permit the full lateral movement of thebloclts E during operation ofthe mechanism.

The friction `shoes F are of likev construction, being two in number and disposed on opposite sides of the mechanism. Each of the shoes F has a flat outer side face 34 adapted to coact with the adjacent face 2l of the shell, and an inner front wedge face 35 similarly inclined to and adapted to coact with the face 3() of the corresponding wedge block E.

vIn this connection, it is pointed out that the coacting wedge faces of the block C and the members E are preferably relatively keen with reference to the longitudinal axis ol the mechanism and that the remaining wedge faces of the members E and the faces of the shell and shoes coacting therewith are relatively blunt. lhe coacting faces of the shell and members E are preferably blunter than the coacting faces of the shoes and the members E.

The spring follower G is in the form of a heavy rectangular'plate having a central opening 36 adapted to loosely accommodate the post B. The follower G has a flat front face which iseut away at opposite sides to provide beveled faces 37 adapted to abut the rearv ends of the slices F, which are correspondingly beveled. The follower Gr is of greater width than the opening in the rear end of the shell so that the opposite ends of the former are adapted to provide a suitable seat for the pairs of springs H at either side of the device.

The springs H-H are arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the mechanism, and are interposed between the spring follower (1 and the rear follower A, the spring follower being provided with pairs of short bosses 117 on opposite' sides thereof, similar to the bosses 17 of the follower A and extending into the front ends of the .springs to hold the same in position. The springs H are inserted in the mechanism under initialcon'ipression and yieldingly hold the spring follower in engagement with the rear ends of the wedge block C and the wedge shoes.

The auxiliary spring J, which is relatively heavier than the springs H, surrounds the post B and has its opposite ends bearing respectively on the spring follower G andthe web 26 of the shell D. The spring J is also inserted'under initial compression and not only maintains the shell in engagement with the wedge system, but wear of the various friction surfaces is compensated for by the expansion thereof.

The operation of the device shown in Fig ures 1 to 4 inclusive is as follows, assuming a compression stroke of the mechanism. AS the front follower `l5 is forced inwardly of the gear, the wedge pressure transmitting members E are forced rearwardly and spread apart by the wedge block C, causing the faces 29 and 30 of the members E to slip on the faces 23 and 35 of the shell and shoes, re- Spectively, thereby effecting a differential wedge action. At the same time, the wedge shoes are forced hard against the friction surfaces 24 of the shell. Due to this differential wedge action, the shoes and shell will lwfspread apart in a longitudinal direction, the lshoes slipping on the friction surfaces 24 of the shell.` thereby compressing the spring resistance J between the follower G and the extension at the rear end of the shell. As the members E travel rearwardly7 on the diverging wedge faces of the hloclt C, in addition to their relative movement the shell and slices will he moved bodily rearwardly against the resistance of the springs H, there being also a slight forward creeping of the shell relatively to the rearwardly moving front follower, on account of the difference in angularity of the faces of the members E which coact with the shell and block C respectively. In other words. the

4shell moves rearwardly at a lesser rate than the front follower. The parts are so proportioned that the front follower will engage `together act as afsolid column.

`134i rof the friction shoe F".

lwith the front end of the wedgebloclr C and have its movement arrested thei'ebyxbefore the end of the shell is engaged by the saine, `and before the extension on the shell engages the rear follower, there vpreferably being considerable clearance between these parts when the gear is fully compressed.

It will be evident that when the gear is thus fully compressed, the forces will be transmitted directly to 'thefrear "follower through the block C and the post B which Upon reduction of the compressing force, the eX- pansion of the springs will restore 'tli-efpaits to normal position, outward movement of 1the spring follower being limited by engagenient with the rear end of the'blbck C;

rl"he eniboiiinient of the invention illusti'ated in Figur-e 5 differs from the construction `illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 in-` clusive only in that the spring follower' is omit-tied, and that the friction shoes have vlugs thereon directly coacting with `the wedge yblock on the post to limit vthe forward `iii'ovement of the shoes.

ure 5, the post is indicated by B; the wedge block which is fixed thereto by C; the friction shell by D; the wedge pressure transmitting' elements by E; the friction slices by F: the inain spring resistance elements by H; the auxiliary spring' resistance elements by J; and the retai'iierbolt K. The :friction shell D is shown as provided with side walls 122 each having a wedge face 123 and friction face 121i c oactingrespectively withthe wed-ge facelQQ ofone of the friction elements E and the friction face l `Each of the elements yE is provided in addition to the face 129 with a wedge face 12S coacting` rwith the wedge face ll9on'tlie adjacentend of the wedge block C andan outerrear wedge face 130 coactingwith the wedge wedge face of the adjacent shoe F.,

Each shoe F 'is provided on the inner side thereof with a vlaterally projecting lug adapted to engage the rear endr of the aclmerely illustrative and I `contemplate all changes and modifications thatcome within C `the'scope of the'claims appended hereto.

I claim: l. In a friction shock yab'si'irbi-ng mech- In -Figiiii'isiii", the combination with :front and *rear *follower actingl ymeans; of aniovabl-e friction shell interposedtherebetween, said shell having` an abutnient thereon; means cooperatinglwith one of said follower acting members for yieldingly resisting vrelative n nioveinent of said shelland members; a friction wedge system cti-acting; with the shell `and ther other follower nieiiib'er; -and yieldingl means within the shell interposed between the friction wedge system and the abutment vfor opposing relative movement of said 'shell and friction system. i

2. In a friction shock absorbing` mechaiiisi'ii, 'the combination with' front and rear follower members,'relativelyinovable toward and fron'i'e'achfotliei'; of a movable friction shellibetw'een said members, said shell being provided with abutment inea-iis; ineansbear- `ing` on kone of said members for yieldingly resistingmovement of the shell; a wedge member fixed with reference `to said last named lfollower member.; and yieldingmeans interposed between sind friction systemfand 'abutiiientineans for resistingl relative movement of said shell and friction system.

- 3. 'in a friction shock abso'rbin'zgf` mechanism, the conibiiiation with front vand rear follower members relatively movable toward `and from'eacli-other; of a movable friction shell having .interim-wedge faces and 'fricn Ltioirsurfaces; of a spring 'resistance coacting with said shell and one of said follower members; a friction wedge system within the shell, saidsysteni including c-oactingfwedge blocks and friction `shoes co-ope'rating` lrespectively `withihe' wedge faces and friction surfacesof the shell; and aspiing resist-ance interposed between the shell and said friction wedge system. l

4. In a `friction shock absorbing mecha- 'nisnnfthe con'ibiiration with relatively movable follower i'ictingrniembers; of a movable friction shell having' interior wedge faces 'and interior frictionsurfaces,A said shell being interposed between said members; rof a spring` resistance c'oactingivith said shell and "saidflast lnamed member; a friction wedge system enacting with said shell, said system including wedge blocks and friction shoes coactii'ig` respectively with 'thewedge *and friction 'faces of theshell,` and having coacting wedge lfaces ;"of a springl independ- 7ent "of said first nian'ied spring" resistance vresisting `relative movement of said wedge blocks, `shoes and shell.

5. In va friction shock absorbi'iig,r mechanism,`tli`e"combinati`on with frontand rear relatively 'movable follower elements; of a movable friction shell interposed therebetween; `o`f means for yielding-ly resisting relative movement of 'the l`shell and one of said follower "elements;` a Ifriction 'wedge system dieting wit-,ii 'fine *eilen anni depte'd to "be elongated longitudinally during the inok compression stroke of the mechanism; and means yieldingly resisting elongation of said system.

G. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combination with relatively movable follower acting members; of a friction wedge system; movable holding means einbracing said wedge system; said system and means having coacting wedge faces; a spring resistance interposed between said wedge friction system and said means; and additional spring means cooperating with one of said members for resisting movement of said holding means.

7. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear followers relatively movable toward each other; of a wedge member relatively fixed with reference to one of said followers; a pair of wedge blocks movable with the other follower' coacting with said first named wedge member and adapted to be separated during relative movement of said followers; friction shoes coacting with said wedge blocks; a friction element coacting with said shoes; said friction element having an abutment wall thereon; a spring resistance interposed between said abutment wall and said shoes; and an additional spring resistance interposed between one of said followers and the friction shoes.

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear main followers relatively movable toward and from each other; of a central wedge member movable with one of said followers; wedge blocks coacting with said wedge member, Said blocks being movable with the other follower and adapted to be spread apart by said wedge member; friction shoes having wedge faces adapted to eoaet with said wedge blocks; a friction element coacting with said shoes, said element also'having faces coacting with said wedge blocks; means yieldingly resisting relative movement of said element, shoes and wedge blocks; and means for yieldingly resisting movement of said friction elenlent, shoes and wedge blocks toward one of said followers.

9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with two relatively movable followers; of a post rigid with one of said followers and having fixed wedge means at the free end thereof: a movable friction shell having interior friction surfaces and interior wedge faces; a plurality of friction shoes having friction surfaces coacting with said shell friction surfaces, said shoes being also provided with wedge faces; a plurality of wedge pressure transmitting members; each having a plurality of wedge faces adapted to coact with said wedging means and wedge faces of the shoes and shell, said members being movable with the other follower; a spring follower engaging the rear ends of said shoes; yielding means interposed between said shell and spring follower; and additional yielding means interposed between said spring follower and said follower having the rigid post.

l0. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear followers relatively movable toward each other; ofa movable friction shell; means for yieldingly resisting movement of said shell; a post rigid with one of said followers and having wedging means at the free end thereof; a friction wedge system coacting with the shell and wedging means of said post; and means within the shell for yieldingly resisting relative movement of said shell and friction system.

ll. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combination with front and rear followers relatively movable toward cach other; of a movable friction shell; means for yieldingly resisting movement of said shell; a wedge member relatively fixed with reference to 011e of said followers; a friction wedge system movable by the other follower and coacting with the shell and wedge member; means for yieldingly resisting relative movement of said shell and friction wedge system; and means for limiting the outward movement of the shell and wedge system.

12. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear relatively movable followers; of a movable friction shell having a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly diverging wedge faces and a pair of interior friction surfaces extending parallel to the axis of the mechanisn'l; a post rigid with one of said followers and having fixed wedging means at the free end thereof; a pair of friction shoes each having a friction surface coacting with one, of said shell friction surfaces, each of said shoes also having a wedge face; a pair of wedge pressure transmitting elements movable with the other follower; each having a wedge face coacting with said fixed wedge means on said post and each having a pair of wedge faces coacting respectively with the adjacent shell and shoe wedge faces; a spring follower engaging the inner ends of said shoes; abutment means on said post adapted to limit the outward movement of said spring follower; yielding means opposing relative movement of said spring follower and shell; and additional yielding means opposing relative movement of said spring follower and said follower having the post rigid therewith.

13. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a follower acting member and a friction shell movable relatively thereto during the compression of the mechanism; of a plurality of wedge friction elements cooperable with said shell lli and certain of which are adapted to transmit the actuating pressure, said elements and shell being movable relatively to each other and also all movable bodily relative to said follower act-ing' member; ymeans fixed with respect to said follower cooperable with said friction elements; spring means resisting' relative movement between said friction elements and shell; and additional spring means resisting relative movement between said follower and the shell and associated frictionk elements.

14. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a friction device movable as an entirety during a compression stroke, said device comprising' a shell having interior friction faces and wedge faces, a spring resistance and a plurality of elements cooperable with the shell, said elements having a plurality of faces cooperating with the shell friction faces and wedge faces; of followeractingl member; a springl resistance interposed between said follower acting member and the movable friction device; and means fixed with respectto said follower cooperable with elements of said movable friction device.

l5. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with front and rear followers relatively movable toward each other; of a movable friction shell; means of the mechanism; fixed wedging means on said column load sustaining member; a friction wedge system coacting with the shell and wedging' means; and means within `the shell for yieldingly resisting relative move` ment of said shell and friction system.

16. In a friction shock absorbing mech*` anism, the combination with relatively movy able front and rear followers; a member having wedge means thereon movable with each follower, one of said members being adapted to limit the relative movement of said followers and act as a column-loadsustaining member; a wedge friction system coasting' with both of said wedge means, said system including a plurality of co-acting members, one of said members having both wedge faces and longitudinally disposed friction surfaces; and means for yieldingly resisting` movement of saidfriction system during the compression of the mechanism.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 22nd day of October 1923.

' STACY B. HASELTINE.

Si! l 

